Top 5 Books to Read on Halloween

Happy Halloween! I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan of the spooky holiday (I blame my introvert side), but I definitely love getting in the spirit of the season with a good book (as any good bibliophile should). Here are five recommendations of books to read this Halloween to get you feeling in the ghosty, ghouly mood .

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“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis StevensonI am actually currently reading this short story, and I have to say I am highly impressed with it (as one should be with Robert Louis Stevenson). I’ve owned the book for quite some time, but was motivated to read it after seeing a Jekyll/Hyde storyline on “Once Upon a Time” (current TV show I am binging on Netflix). I don’t want to ruin the twist, but trust me, it’s a good one. If you’re looking for a short read to cuddle down with on the night of Halloween while munching on some candy corn, pick up a copy of this tale, as well as Stevenson’s other short stories.

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“Gone Girl” by Gillian FlynnWhile you are more than welcome to watch the movie on this spooky night (because I am all for living your best life), the book is better (because of course it is). This is the perfect mystery/thriller for an October read. A murder-mystery that’s got you on the edge of your seat, this is the kind of book you can read in a few sittings if you really put your mind to it. Page after page reveals an astute eye for detail and a devious, treacherous mind.

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“Frankenstein” by Mary ShelleyMary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” is a Halloween classic. Learn about the creation of the original monster from the first mad scientist. The horror story also includes pillaging villagers with pitchforks and flaming torches; what more could you want from a Halloween read?

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“The Shining” by Stephen KingYou can’t get any more Halloweeny than reading work from the master of the horror novel. King’s “The Shining” is definitely scarier in movie form (not that I’ve watched it — I’m a child), but the book is just as haunting. Taking place in an eerie, empty hotel in the mountains, Jack and his family must survive the ghosts of the hotel without succumbing to the darkness.

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“The Raven” by Edgar Alan PoeReading an eerie poem on what should be the spookiest night of the year is the perfect way to set the tone for a supernatural evening. Any of Edgar Allan Poe’s haunting creations will put you in the mood for a spooky night — “The Raven” is a classic, but I also recommend “The Tell Tale Heart” and “Annabel Lee.”

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Bonus: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling“Trolls…in the dungeon…thought you ought to know…” *Cue fainting Professor Quirrell* That is the one scene in a movie that isn’t completely Halloween themed that I think of when this time of year rolls around. It’s such an easy read, you can definitely squeeze in the J.K. Rowling classic on the witchiest holiday of the year.

I hope you enjoy the spookiest night of the year! Let me know your favorite Halloween reads down below!